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George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English rock guitarist, singer-songwriter, author, writer, film producer and sitarist best known as the lead guitarist for The Beatles. Following the band's breakup, Harrison had a successful career as a solo artist and later as part of the Traveling Wilburys supergroup. He was the first Beatle to have a number one solo album (All Things Must Pass). He also co-founded the production company Handmade Films, and in his work as a film producer, collaborated with people as diverse as Madonna and the members of Monty Python.After Harrison embraced Hinduism in the 1960s, his spiritual convictions were often evident in his music and public activities.

Although John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the majority of the Beatles songs, Harrison generally wrote and sang lead on a few songs in each album. His later compositions included hits such as "Here Comes the Sun," "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." After the band's breakup, Harrison became the first ex-Beatle to achieve a #1 single ("My Sweet Lord"). Besides being a singer, songwriter, guitarist and sitarist, he was also a record producer and music innovator, and as Harrison forged his own identity and drifted away from the Beatles he became a well-respected songwriter, musical pioneer, and a catalyst for a generation's interest in Indian culture. In 1969, Harrison commented: "I believe that if I'm going to sing songs on record, they might as well be on my own."

He later went on to do a lot of reasonably successful solo work, All Things Must Pass being the first ever triple album by a single artist, and featuring two number one singles, plus another in the top 10. One of these, "My Sweet Lord", resulted in a lengthy court case when Harrison was sued for copyright infringement. The firsts continued, Harrison became the first rock star to organise a major charity concert with his 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. In addition to his solo work, Harrison co-wrote two hits for Ringo Starr, another ex-Beatle.

He is the only Beatle to have released an autobiography, releasing "I Me Mine" in 1980, although little was said about The Beatles. In the 1980s, he began to turn away from musical work, instead focusing on other hobbies, such as gardening. This was only a phase, however, Harrison playing a major part in the 1988 founding of the Traveling Wilburys.

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• Malcolm Gladwell on Joy, Gates and the Beatles -- and on stage - Malcolm Gladwell praises The Beatles and discusses how they honed their talents in Hamburg.
• Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigbys identity revealed? - Paul McCartney reveals the inspiration for his song, Eleanor Rigby.

• July 19: Former Beatle set for Quebec City concert amid protests
• February 2: NASA to beam Beatles song into deep space
• January 5: Queen voted Britain's greatest band
• February 6: Apple Inc., Apple Corps resolve trademark dispute
• August 25: Texas man foils burglary in Britain

The sign for the 'Strawberry Field' Salvation Army orphanage, which leant its name to Strawberry Fields Forever, with heavy Beatles-related graffiti.

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"Help!" - the title for both the film and album of the same name

"Help!" was written as a plea for help by John Lennon, who was feeling depressed at the time. It has been covered by numerous artists, and remains one of their most famous songs.

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  • Rock music
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